Rodney Stevens, Clarence Valley Independent

When Mudyala Aboriginal Corporation founder and CEO, Aneika Kapeen was announced as 2024 Clarence Valley Citizen of the Year, a loud cheer erupted from the crowd in acknowledgment of more than a decade of dedication to the community.

Recent rain and wild weather has prompted the Invasive Species Council to call on residents of northern NSW to be on alert for Fire Ants following concerns the weather could accelerate the spread of the invasive pest ... The Invasive Species Council is concerned that Fire Ants can form rafts during flood events or high rain, or stowaway in freight or soil, increasing their spread into NSW.

For years, the price of fuel in the Clarence Valley and parts of the Northern Rivers has been some of the most expensive in the state, with prices varying by almost 30 cents a litre between the Lower Clarence and Grafton, but there is something everyone can do to bring this issue into the spotlight of the federal government.

Local MP’s have followed federal opposition leader Peter Dutton’s call for people to boycott supermarket giant Woolworths over its decision not to sell Australia Day merchandise. Both Federal Member for Page, Kevin Hogan, and State Member for Clarence, Richie Williamson, have followed Mr Dutton’s lead, calling for people to boycott the supermarket...

Holidaymakers have flocked to the Clarence Valley for the 2023-2024 summer holidays with businesses reporting increased trade compared to last year, delivering a welcome economic boost in the current tough financial climate.

After two years of rough conditions that forced the Yamba Ocean Swim to be held at Whiting Beach, smaller surf this year saw the event return to its spiritual home of Main Beach with almost a record number of entries.

Year 12 students from across the Clarence Valley were busy logging in with more than 76,000 alumni statewide last Thursday to get their HSC results, signalling the end of their secondary schooling and entry into university or the workforce ... The CV Independent contacted all Clarence Valley high schools for information about their HSC results ...

A commercial airline pilot in his 30s and his five-year-old son were killed when their kit plane clipped powerlines along the Clarence River at Lilydale, about 45km northwest of Grafton last Tuesday and plummeted to the ground, bursting into flames.

While Christmas is a time for excitement, celebration, food and family for many Clarence Valley locals, with the financial crisis continuing to hit the region ... it can be a time of loneliness and despair. Charities from both the Lower Clarence and Grafton reported increased demand over past years, especially for food...

With four of the five Stephenson family members being huge fans of toys and popular culture, when Maclean Toyworld was listed for sale, Jodie Stephenson followed her lifelong dream by purchasing the popular business.